Nov. 3, 2008
Editor's Note: Throughout the course of the 2008-09 wrestling season, two Missouri wrestlers, senior Michael Chandler and freshman Nick Gregoris, will be giving their perspectives on varying topics, including practice, dual meets, academics and more.
Chandler, a three-time NCAA qualifier is making his final run at an NCAA title, while Gregoris, a newcomer from Mebane, N.C., is experiencing tournaments and Missouri practices for the very first time. The different perspectives should prove interesting for TigerStyle fans.
Fans can read Chandler's journal entry every Monday, while Gregoris will contribute on Friday's.
With that…here's a word from senior captain Michael Chandler….
My name is Michael Chandler. I am in my fifth year on the team and am enjoying my last few months of eligibility. I am from High Ridge, Mo., which is just south of St. Louis. I have been one of the team captains for the last two years and have started the last three years at 157 pounds. I have qualified for the NCAA Championships all three years, and plan to make my last year my best year.
The season seems to be going very well thus far. Preseason was a little different this year, as Coach Smith threw an early Christmas present at us in early September. Any returning wrestler who ran his best time on the 6 mile run, didn't have to run the next two. This was not only an incentive to run the race harder than ever in the past, but it also showed anyone who came into season a little out of shape, that they needed to get their butts in gear. Needless to say, a few returning guys had to run it two or three times, and it serves them right. Not to brag, but not only did I beat my time by about 4 minutes, but I won the whole race and I am hoping that the win is foreshadowing for my career story which will end in March. The "get out of the 6 miler free" card also gave many of the guys the opportunity to get on the mats rather than the road that day. This, in my opinion, was awesome because I hate running. Along with the runs, we also ran the stadium (stairs) as we do every year. I have gotten used to them by now, and almost look forward to them because I know the cardio and mental strain prepares us for the season ahead.
The season is now underway, and we have been working out 6 days a week with our only rest coming on Sunday as God intended.
I have been doing my job as an upperclassman to show a few of the freshmen the ropes. This year, my favorite drill partners are Nick Gregoris; a fast-footed kid out of North Carolina, and Todd Porter; an ox out of my high school. They have showed much improvement since I first started working out with them at camps this past summer. They both know how to go hard and don't ever back down, even if I get the best of them. They both have a really bright future as Tigers. Of course Marable and I go at it a lot as well. We've been battling ever since he got here, and we have made each other a lot better. He was always nipping at my heels my sophomore year, competing for my spot which really kept me on the top of my game. His strength coming into play really makes me have to focus on perfect technique when we wrestle, so this is very beneficial for me. Along with Marable, one of our new editions to the team is Joe Johnston, a couple time All-American from Iowa. We don't hold it against him that he's from Iowa, mainly because he is such an asset to the team, and especially me. Joe and I have had some battles like I have never experienced in my career. I'm convinced that there aren't too many guys on Earth that can go like he can. Every time I wrestle with him, I know I'm in for a treat. A treat that usually consists of about 30-40 minutes of live wrestling at a very hard pace.
Our lifting program consists of Monday and Friday mornings with freshman and guys who need to get bigger doing an extra lift Wednesday evening. The coaches have gotten pretty creative with our lifts, and are always looking for new lifts tailored for us to get functionally stronger. We really focus on our core and explosive lifts as well as muscular endurance.
This season is sure to be a great one. With three returning All-Americans and a load of other talented guys behind them, my senior year is sure to be an eventful one. Coach has a loaded schedule for us, as we are traveling from coast to coast. We open on the east coast with Lock Haven and Bucknell, and just a few weeks later, we are in California. At least Nationals are in our back yard again at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. This has worked out wonderfully for me, as it's only about 40 minutes from my home town. My parents sure seem to like it.
The Black and Gold meet this weekend will be very exciting, especially in light weight wrestle offs. None of the spots are set for sure yet, and anything can happen. Traditionally, wrestle offs are for the starting spot, but it's usually the man who will compete the best and score the most points for the team that will be the guy at the spot. So make sure you come out and support your Tigers as we step on the mats for the first time in the '08-'09 season.